Usdaw to meet Tesco on distribution re-organisation

Date: 26 February 2013Usdaw will meet with Tesco after the company announced proposals to further reorganise its distribution network with the potential loss of 1,600 staff at five of its distribution centres.

National officer Joanne McGuinness said: "This is devastating
news for our members and we will be examining very closely the
business case for these proposed changes."

"We will be using the 90-day consultation period to consult with
the company on behalf of our members who are now facing an
uncertain future. While the company's review of its distribution
network has been going on for some time now, the proposed closures
of the Chesterfield, Harlow and Weybridge sites has still come as a
great shock to our members. Further proposed job cuts at the Magor
and Welham Green sites will also cast a huge shadow over the
workforces there."

"While we understand the retail sector never stands still
the human cost in these upheavals has impacted massively on the
UK's warehouse and distribution workforce."

"Usdaw will be doing all it can to support our members during
the difficult months ahead."

Notes for editors:

1. Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is
the UK's fourth biggest and fastest growing trade union with over
424,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 17% in the
last five years and by nearly a third in the last decade. Most
Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has
many members in transport, distribution, food, manufacturing,
chemicals and other trades.